the average flare-up scores for patients treated with test
product A were significantly lower than patients treated
with standard product B. In addition, increased levels
of the Xanthomonas genus were observed in the group
treated with product A, whereas with product B, levels
of the Staphylococcus genus increased. Interestingly,
these differences were more pronounced for patients in
relapse, and the associated flare-up scores worsened less
with product A vs. product B.

The researchers therefore concluded that an
emollient containing a specific non-pathogenic bacteria
Vf could normalize skin microbiota and significantly
reduce the number and severity of flare-ups, compared
with a standard emollient.

In the Spa

Similar to the mass beauty market, the spa industryis still in the early stages when it comes to harnessingthe power of topical probiotics. Many use yoghurt forthe exoliating and moisturing benefits of its lactic acidcontent. Some have found probiotic-derived ingredientscapable of promoting good bacteria growth, and othershave activated the bacteria already present on theskin for beneficial effects. On probiotics in skin care,cosmetic bioevangelist Rebecca Gadberry commented,“True probiotics are live active cultures, so mostprobiotic ingredients in cosmetics are freeze dried orlysed so they can be included with preservatives. Itdoesn’t mean that their cell membranes don’t have aneffect on the skin on the body. Their biomembranescommunicate with the biomarkers in the humanskin. More exciting to me is using a biomolecule tocommunicate with the unique microbiome of the skin,not upsetting but harnessing it for skin benefits.Yoghurt is the main probiotic ingredient inÉminence Organic Skin Care’s Clear Skin ProbioticMasque, Cleanser and Moisturizer, all of which use theingredient to exfoliate and soothe the complexion.

Because live active cultures are difficult to formulate
in cosmetic products with preservatives—which kill
them off—these probiotics are often lysed. Bioelements
uses bifida cultures found in yogurt and dietary
supplements (specifically bifida ferment lysate) in its
Probiotics Anti-aging Serum to reduce redness and the
appearance of fine lines.

Cellex-C HydraSmooth includes a lactobacillus
ferment lysate, a probiotic-derived extract, to balance
good and bad bacteria while minimizing breakouts
and dry skin. Lactobacillus ferment is combined with
probiotic pichia/resveratrol ferment in G.M. Collin’s
Phyto Stem Cell + Mask to reduce the appearance
of wrinkles and firm skin. In its recently launched
LumaPro-C, Hydropeptide includes both lactobacillus
ferment as a natural preservative and diglucosyl gallic
acid, which activates the skin flora to restore an even
skin tone and reduce inflammation.

Lactobacillis acidophilis and micronized silver can
be found together in Epicuren’s Acidophilis Probiotic
Facial Cream. The goal of the two ingredients is to
restore balance in the skin’s microbiome to maintain
blemish-free skin.

Glowbiotics MD is a brand focused on the power
of topically delivered probiotics. Its probiotic derived
bioactives (PDBS) are produced when body friendly
bacteria such as Lactobacillus lactis are put through a
special fermentation process to release the non-living
bioactives from the bacterium so they do not need to be
refrigerated, yet retain the same immune stimulating
properties of the whole bacterial cell. The company
finds the ingredients to reverse problematic skin
conditions, reduce the appearance of fine lines, detoxify
acne-prone skin, rehydrate, provide antioxidant
protection and increase oxygen.

Perhaps one of the only topical skin care products with
live active cultures, Mother Dirt’s AO+ Mist, Live Probiotic
Spray for the Skin is formulated with a patented, live
“peacekeeper” bacteria to restore essential bacteria
that’s been removed. The company’s ammonia-oxidizing
bacteria (AOB) is from the strain Nitrosomonas eutropha,
which is added to water and natural salts disodium
phosphate and magnesium chloride. Due to lack of
preservatives, the product lasts four weeks at room
temperature and six months refridgerated. AOB consume
ammonia and convert it into beneficial byproducts to help
maintain a healthy pH and beneficial microorganisms.